[Jobs] Fw: [DWN] Job Opening: Catholic Charities-San Antonio

[PETER ALTSCHUL]

Please distribute widely!



JOB ANNOUNCEMENT:



Catholic Charities, Archdiocese of San Antonio, Inc.

Immigration Services

San Antonio, Texas



Unaccompanied Alien Children (UAC)

Pro Bono Coordinator



Catholic Charities seeks to hire a full-time Pro Bono Coordinator to oversee 
case screenings, legal rights presentations, and pro bono representation for 
unaccompanied immigrant children detained in Central Texas.  The position is 
based in San Antonio, Texas and will begin in the summer of 2006.



The objectives and mission of Immigration Services are:



  a.. Preservation of an immigrant's individual integrity and self-worth;
  b.. Administrative and judicial access for indigent and under-represented 
individuals;
  c.. Protection of victims of crime including victims of domestic and 
sexual abuse, victims of international trafficking, and applicants for 
special protection in the United States;
  d.. Legal representation of unaccompanied minors;
  e.. Family unification through lawful immigration; and
  f.. Access to informative resources to individuals.


Responsibilities and Description of the Pro Bono Coordinator Position:  The 
Pro Bono Coordinator will work together with the Immigration Services 
Director and UAC paralegal to coordinate pro bono representation for 
unaccompanied immigrant children detained in Central Texas.  Catholic 
Charities assists children at two facilities operated by contractors of the 
Office of Refugee Resettlement, Division of Unaccompanied Children's 
Services (ORR DUCS).  At any given time, there are approximately 200 
children detained at these facilities.  The Pro Bono Coordinator will 
recruit, train, and provide hands-on mentorship to volunteer attorneys and 
law students assisting children in asylum, U and T visas, Special Immigrant 
Juvenile Status, and other claims for relief as appropriate.   He/she may 
travel to other parts of Texas for trainings, and will regularly visit the 
children's facilities to provide legal orientations, individual counseling, 
and case screenings for referrals to volunteers.  He/she may also train and 
mentor volunteers to conduct legal orientations, counseling, and screenings. 
A small percentage of the Pro Bono Coordinator's time may be used to provide 
direct legal services as needed, determined on a case-by-case basis.  The 
Pro Bono Coordinator will assist the Immigration Services Director with 
maintaining data and reporting to funding agencies.  The Pro Bono 
Coordinator will supervise the UAC Paralegal.  The Pro Bono Coordinator will 
work closely with other legal service providers, mental health and social 
service providers, ORR, children's facility staff, the immigration court, 
and the private bar to serve the needs of unaccompanied immigrant children.



Qualifications:  The Pro Bono Coordinator should have at least two years in 
the practice of law and familiarity with the immigration court and appellate 
procedures. Additional requirements include experience assisting immigrants 
and asylum seekers in their claims for relief before the immigration court; 
experience working with children, preferably detained immigrant children; 
experience working with survivors of abuse or other trauma; experience with 
public speaking, conducting trainings, and mentorship of volunteer 
attorneys; excellent client interviewing and cross-cultural communication 
skills; excellent organizational and interpersonal skills and attention to 
detail; fluency in Spanish; and experience in outreach and education or 
advocacy on immigration detention issues.  The pro bono coordinator should 
be a licensed attorney.



Compensation:  The Pro Bono Coordinator will receive compensation 
commensurate with qualifications. The contract is for one year and is 
subject to renewal based on performance and availability of funding.



Application and Deadline:  Please submit, by mail or e-mail, a cover letter 
describing your interest in the position, along with a resume, writing 
sample, and three references to:  Lidia McMahan, Director of Immigration 
Services, Catholic Charities, Archdiocese of San Antonio, Inc., 2903 W. 
Salinas, San Antonio Texas 78207 as soon as possible.  Applications will be 
considered on a rolling basis, and an interview will be required of 
finalists.  Please direct questions to Lidia McMahan at (210) 433-3256 or by 
e-mail to: lmcmahan at ccaosa.org.